Max Verstappen breaks the F1 market with a historic salary: up to 460 million!
The Dutchman, according to Marc Limacher, could reach 100 million per year if he meets his goals with Red Bull
There is (because there has to be, as in everything) a certain romanticism in the renewal of Max Verstappen , the great talent on the Formula 1 grid and four-time champion, with Red Bull until 2030. He is doing it in front of his home crowd at the Dutch Grand Prix , he could string together 15 years in the same colors and decided to stay with those of the energy drink after weighing the siren songs of Mercedes and McLaren in order to prefer his almost family-like project represented by the PowerPoint with which Laurent Mekies , his team principal, convinced him. But there is something more: money. And everything seems to indicate that 3 has managed to secure one of the best contracts... in the history of sport.
Verstappen is absolutely discreet about his terms and clauses, but the paddock is buzzing over some brutal figures. Journalist Marc Limacher, an expert in F1 economics and author of Business/Book GP, revealed numbers that take your breath away. He would go from 70 million a year, the best salary on the grid, to rubbing shoulders with the elite of sport. He would reach 92 million fixed starting in 2027 and bonuses could raise the earnings to 115 . In total, the extension is worth 460 million . Something never seen before in Formula 1.
The highest salaries in Formula 1
Max Verstappen (Red Bull): between 92 and 115 million
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 60 million
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 34 million
George Russell (Mercedes): 34 million
Lando Norris (McLaren): 30 million
Carlos Sainz (Williams): 30 million
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): 20 million
Thus, Max would break the market. It also forces a recalculation of the earnings of other stars who must sign their extension, such as Hamilton or Alonso. But what is certain is that Red Bull takes the next step and changes the landscape of a different F1. Closer to the franchise system of the United States that prevails in the NBA or NFL , and with huge profits. Revenues only keep rising, and the blockbuster move for its star is logical. "He is the best, it's good news for the sport," Alonso said about it. "He will make a huge amount of money," Stroll joked.
He is the best, it's good news for the sport
The highest-paid in sports
Verstappen's total could continue to rise with other benefits beyond the steering wheel and he goes straight onto the list of the highest-paid athletes in world sport. It is a ranking led by Cristiano Ronaldo 's colossal Saudi contract -with Al Nassr - which exceeds 230 million per year each season. The Portuguese star also adds off-field deals that completely change any ranking. But the Red Bull driver does match those who earn the most on the field, with a salary (according to Forbes) similar to that of Karim Benzema (100 million) or Jon Rahm (97).
Sportingly, Verstappen will aim for his fifth title in the near future. That is what his team is working and committing to after securing such a great talent. "We are not taking it lightly; now comes an enormous responsibility to develop a very fast package, with chassis and power unit, so that it can return us to the very top as quickly as possible," said his boss Laurent Mekies.
